U.S. patent number 5,564,369 [Application Number 08/264,040] was granted by the patent office on 1996-10-15 for reef ball.
Invention is credited to Gerald L. Barber, Todd R. Barber.
United States Patent |
5,564,369 |
Barber , et al. |
October 15, 1996 |
Reef ball
Abstract
The method and apparatus for producing artificial reef modules
which can be deposited on the ocean floor for permitting growth of
coral and other marine growth thereon. The reef balls can be left
permanently at a particular location to develop an artificial reef
or can be harvested for use in aquariums.
Inventors: |
Barber; Todd R. (Doraville,
GA), Barber; Gerald L. (Greenville, SC) |
Family
ID: |
23004303 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/264,040 |
Filed: |
June 22, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/221; 405/23;
249/65; 405/21; D30/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
63/006 (20130101); B28B 7/32 (20130101); A01K
61/70 (20170101); B28B 7/0029 (20130101); Y02A
40/83 (20180101); Y02A 40/81 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
63/00 (20060101); A01K 61/00 (20060101); B28B
7/32 (20060101); B28B 7/28 (20060101); B28B
7/00 (20060101); A01K 061/00 (); B28B 007/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;405/15,21,24,25,27,30,23 ;249/65,145 ;264/314 ;119/221 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3014399 |
|
Jun 1968 |
|
JP |
|
119815 |
|
Sep 1980 |
|
JP |
|
5236844 |
|
Sep 1993 |
|
JP |
|
8705645 |
|
Sep 1987 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Graysay; Tamara L.
Assistant Examiner: Lagman; Frederick L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. The method of constructing artificial reefs from hollow
structures for attracting marine life such as coral and fish
comprising the steps of:
producing a separable mold of a shape corresponding to a desired
external shape of an exterior wall of said hollow structure,
placing an inflatable bladder in said mold;
inflating said bladder to a shape corresponding to the shape of a
desired interior wall of said hollow structure,
placing hole forming structures between said bladder and said mold
at desired locations,
filling the space between said bladder and said mold with cement,
allowing said cement to assume the shape of the spaced between said
bladder and said mold and upon setting producing a rigid hollow
structure with holes provided therein,
removing said mold from said hollow structure,
floating said hollow structure with said inflated bladder therein
to a desired location in a body of water,
deflating said bladder allowing said hollow structure to settle on
the bottom of said body of water, and
removing said bladder from said structure wherein a hollow
structure with openings provided therein rest on the bottom of said
body of water for attracting marine life.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:
attaching a plurality of said hollow structures together for
stabilizing said reef on the bottom.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:
attaching a valve to said bladder so that air can be introduced
into and removed from said bladder,
using a source of air attached to said valve for varying the air
pressure in said bladder to change the buoyancy of said hollow
structure when floating said structure and allowing said structure
to settle on the bottom of said body of water.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of placing
said hole forming structure between said bladder and said mold
includes placing inflatable devices between said mold and said
bladder for causing holes to be produced in the wall of said hollow
structure for providing access to the interior of said hollow
structure.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:
placing a pattern on an interior wall of said mold simulating coral
which pattern is impressed into an exterior wall of said hollow
structure as said concrete sets.
6. An artificial reef system comprising:
a generally spherical shell,
said shell being formed of cementitious material,
holes provided in said shell for providing ingress and egress of
fish into the interior of said spherical shell,
an inflated bladder attached to said shell for making said shell
buoyant so that said spherical shell can be floated to a desired
location whereupon said bladder can be deflated for allowing said
spherical shell to be deposited on the bottom of said body of
water.
7. The artificial reef system as set forth in claim 6 further
comprising:
a pattern corresponding to coral embossed an outer surface of said
spherical shell.
8. The artificial reef system as set forth in claim 6 further
comprising:
a plurality of cementitious shells, and
link members connecting said plurality of shells together forming a
reef.
9. The artificial reef system as set forth in claim 6 further
comprising:
said bladder being positioned in said spherical shell, and
an opening provided in an upper portion of said spherical shell so
that said bladder can be removed from said shell upon being
deflated.
10. An artificial reef for promoting the growth of marine life on
the surface thereof while submerged in a body of water so that said
reef with said growth thereon can be harvested and transported to
another location comprising:
a substantially spherical structure having an exterior surface and
an interior surface,
a cavity provided in said structure,
holes provided in said structure for providing ingress and egress
to fish into said cavity, said holes having an inlet and an outlet
and a concave radially extending surface defined between said inlet
and outlet of said holes, and
said wall being constructed of cementitious material adapted to
support marine growth thereon.
11. The artificial reef as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising:
said concave radially extending surfaces being positioned between
said interior and said exterior surface of said spherical structure
for producing a darker area as compared to the exterior surface of
said reef.
12. The artificial reef as set forth in claim 11 wherein said
concave radially extending surfaces define recessed surfaces having
a greater diameter than the diameter of said inlet and outlet of
said holes provided in the interior and exterior surfaces of said
spherical structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an artificial reef module and more
particularly to a reef ball which can be placed in an underwater
environment to permit growth of corals, blue mussels, oysters,
encrusting sponges, algae, tunicates, featherdusters, barnacles,
and other marine growth that simulates natural leers for promoting
the protection and development of schools of various fish and for
other marine life. The reef ball can be allowed to remain in the
area where it was positioned for development of marine growth, or
it can be harvested and transported to other locations such as
natural or artificial aquariums.
The effects of man's abuse and natural disasters have led to the
significant destruction and reduction of our natural reef systems.
All reefs, both natural and artificial serve as food, shelter and
protection for a multitude of marina animals and plants, including
vital links in the food chain such as crustaceans, sponges, and
invertebrates. Because natural reefs cannot rebuild themselves fast
enough to Keep up with their destruction rates, the fragile ocean
reef system stands in peril.
Since large natural coral structures take thousands of years to
develop, one way that man can help the reef system is to put back
the essential structure that sustains life. Much like forests
replanted on land, artificial reefs must be "planted" on the ocean
floor. Efforts have been made to build artificial reefs out of many
things such as car tires, construction rubble, ships and planes.
Even refuge unsuitable for land fills have been used to make reefs.
Unfortunately, many of these methods have turned out to be
environmentally unsound, very expensive, or both.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for constructing
artificial reefs from hollow structures such as reef balls for
attracting marine life such as coral and fish. The method includes
producing a separable mold of a shape corresponding to a desired
external shape of an exterior wall of the reef ball. An inflatable
bladder is placed within the separable mold and is inflated to a
shape corresponding to the shape of a desired inner wall of the
hollow structure. Small bladders or inflatable balls or forms are
positioned between the bladder and the mold for producing holes in
the wall of the reef ball. After the balloons or bladders are
placed between the main bladder and the mold, the mold is filled
with cement and the cement is allowed to assume the shape between
the main bladder and the mold upon setting to form a reef ball
which is in the form of a rigid hollow structure with holes
provided therein.
The mold is then removed from the reef ball and the reef ball is
floated via its inflatable center bladder to the desired location
in a body of water. Upon reaching the desired location, the bladder
is deflated allowing the reef ball or hollow structure to settle to
the bottom of the body of water. The internal bladder is then
removed from the structure wherein a hollow structure with openings
provided therein rests on the bottom of the body of water. The reef
ball can be anchored to the bottom by any suitable means so that
tides and current will not shift its location.
The reef ball can be allowed to stay submerged for a period of time
sufficient to allow marine growth to develop thereon and if
desired, the reef ball can be harvested and transported to another
location such as aquariums, etc. A pattern can be placed on the
interior wall of the mold for simulating coral and the like so that
during the setting of the cement when producing the reef ball, the
pattern is embossed on the outer or inner surfaces of the reef
ball. The holes provided in the outer shell of the reef ball have a
concave radially extending area for promoting the growth of algae
and the like as a result of providing an area where there is higher
and lower flow rates of water. As a result of the concave recesses
in the openings provided in the wall, there are areas of the reef
ball that receive different amounts of light, currents and surface
angles toward the surface. Normally coral grows on the brightly lit
areas, and sponges grow on the darker areas.
Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to
provide an artificial reef ball for promoting marine life.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide an
artificial reef ball which can be readily manufactured and
transported to desired locations in a body of water.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide a
reef ball that can be readily placed in the ocean for promoting the
growth of marine life and then harvested and transported to
different areas.
Another important object of the present invention is to produce a
stable reef ball by locating most of the weight of the reef within
one foot of the bottom perimeter of the reef ball.
Still another important object of the present invention is to
provide a reef ball which can be readily attached to other reef
balls for producing artificial reefs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of reef balls
constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned on
the ocean floor.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an individual reef
ball.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bladder that is used in
constructing the reef ball of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a mold used for
constructing a reef ball.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a reef ball being
constructed.
FIG. 6 is an elevational view with parts broken away illustrating a
reef ball being molded.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a reef ball being removed
from a mold.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of reef balls
being transported to a desired location.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating a diver lowering
a reef ball to the bottom of the ocean.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a
portion of the wall of a reef ball.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a reef ball having a
different shape.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a different type of a
mold being used for producing a reef ball of the configuration
shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken all along line 14 of FIG.
13.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a portion of a connecting
mechanism for connecting a plurality of reef balls together.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a
plurality of reef balls are connected together to form a reef.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a small reef ball that
has been harvested and placed within an aquarium.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention
illustrating a reef structure positioned within an aquarium.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of reef balls
anchored on the bottom of the ocean floor to produce a reef which
is used for promoting the growth of marine life such as encrusting
sponges, algae, tunicates, featherdusters, barnacles, etc. and for
attracting and protecting various fish species. The reef balls may
be constructed out of any suitable concrete mix that is compatible
to a marine life. A key aspect of the concrete mix is the use of
microsilics, superplastisizer, and fibers. These admixes will turn
nearly any concrete into a suitable mix for reef balls. A minimum
of 25 pounds of microsilics is required for every yard on concrete.
One and a half pounds or more of fibers are used for flexural
strength and shipping resistance. Non-toxic superplastisizer
(liquid or powder) is used to achieve a minimum of a seven inch
slump. Normally mixes utilizing as low a sulphur content as
possible are desired. In one particular embodiment, three eighths
inch aggregate is utilized. The size of the aggregate can vary
depending on the size of the reef ball.
The reef ball 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a generally
spherical shell formed of cementitious material. The shell has an
inner wall 12 and an outer wall 14. Holes 16 are provided in the
spherical shell to permit ingress and egress of fish and the like
into the interior of the spherical shell. The holes 16 have concave
components 18 which provide a recess in which algae grows as a
result of the flow rate of water thereover being slower than
through the center portion of the hole.
The holes 16 have an inlet 20 on the inner surface and an outlet 22
on the outlet surface. Between the inlet 20 and the outlet there is
a concave recess extending around the hole. As a result, the
exterior surface of the reef ball is more exposed to light than the
recessed concave surfaces 18. Coral normally grows on the portion
of the reef ball that is more exposed to light whereas sponges and
algae tend to grow and locate on the portions of the reef ball that
are exposed to less light.
The upper portion of the reef ball has a generally circular opening
24 provided therein.
When the reef balls are deposited on the ocean floor or the like,
if there is water flow or current then they should be anchored to
the bottom by any suitable anchoring system. As shown in FIG. 1,
several of the reef balls may be connected together to form a large
reef.
The manner in which the reef ball is constructed and deployed is
disclosed in FIGS. 3 through 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, there is an inflatable bladder 26 that is used
in forming the reef ball. The bladder 26 has a valve stem 28
provided thereon so as to control the flow of air into the bladder
for expanding it and for exhausting the bladder when it is desired
that it be collapsed. When diver-less deployments are required, the
valve stem is fitted with a long hose with a quick disconnect for
deploying reef balls without diver's aid from the surface of the
water. A small buoy is attached to the internal bladder to allow
the internal bladder to float to the surface after the air is
released from the surface via the long hose. Bladder 26 can be
filled with air from any suitable means such as a diver's tank. If
it is used in connection with a diver's tank, then it should have a
valve stem and connection compatible with the tubes provided on the
diver's tank.
FIG. 4 discloses a mold generally designated by the reference
character 30 that is capable of producing the reef ball of FIGS. 1
and 2. The mold as shown in FIG. 2 includes semi-circular spherical
bodies 32 and 34 each of which is provided with connecting flanges
36 and 38 respectively. The top of the mold is open as defined by
the circular opening 40. The mold can be positioned on any suitable
support platform such as a wooden platform 42.
The semi-circular spherical bodies 32 and 34 which form the mold
have small holes provided therein through which strings are
attached to small bladders, balloons, or tether balls 48 so that
the small bladders 48 can be attached to the inside wall of the
molds by feeding the strings 48A through the holes 33 in the mold
for attaching the small bladders to the inside wall of the
spherical bodies 32 and 34. The strings 48A are tied tightly so as
to hold the bladders or tether balls tightly against the inner
surface of the spheres 32 and 34 during the pouring of the
concrete.
The bladder 26 is then inserted within the mold as shown in FIG. 5,
and bolts or pins are inserted through the flange members 36 and 38
for securing the two halves together by means of nuts 46. When the
bladder is in place, the bladder is fully inflated and presses the
small balloons or bladders 48 against the inner wall of the mold.
The small balloons or bladders 48 provide a space between the outer
surface of the inner bladder 10 and the interior wall of the mold
so that concrete can be poured therearound. The balloons 48 aid in
holding the bladder away from the walls of the mold during the
concrete pouring process. When the concrete is poured into the mold
as shown in FIG. 5, it incapulates the small tether balls 48 and
fills in the space between the main bladder 10 and the interior
wall of the mold. In some instances rather than utilizing
cylindrical shaped balloons, other various shaped forms can be
positioned between the bladder and the interior of the wall for
forming voids in the concrete once it sets. For example, elongated
cylindrical boat buoys can be positioned between the bladder 10 and
the interior wall of the mold to create elongated voids in the
shell of the reef ball for attracting lobsters and the like.
The bladder can have a connecting strap positioner adjacent to the
bottom thereof which can be tied to the bottom of the mold so that
it will be anchored down when the concrete is poured into the mold.
The tie down strap adjacent to the bottom portion of the bladder 46
is not shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, but it is shown in the bladder
of FIG. 14. If additional strength is desired for the reef ball,
the mold can be constructed so as to form reinforcing ribs on the
exterior of the reef ball.
After the two sides of the mold are secured together such as shown
in FIG. 5, a cement truck or any suitable source of cement can be
backed up to the mold and cement poured directly through the
opening in the top of the mold and allowed to flow around the
centrally located bladder 28. As the cement works down towards the
bottom of the mold it encapsulates the balloons 48 which causes the
holes to be formed in the outer shell of the reef ball. Once the
cement sets, the two halves of the mold are separated such as shown
in FIG. 7, and the reef ball 10 can be connected to a tow line and
removed from the mold. The reef balls can either be rolled down to
the surface of the water where they are to be deployed or
transported there by other suitable means. Once the reef balls have
been moved to the surface of the water, they will float on top of
the water as long as the bladder 26 is inflated. This permits a
boat such as in FIG. 8 to pull the reef balls to the desired
location where they are to be set on the bottom. Once they reach
the desired location, a diver generally designated by the reference
character 50 can allow the air to be expelled from the bladder 26
by manipulating a valve provided in the valve stem 28. This permits
the reef ball with the bladder then to slowly sink to the bottom of
the ocean floor. If for some reason once the reef ball reaches the
ocean floor it is desired to move it to another location, the diver
can merely supply compressed air to the bladder to increase its
buoyancy.
In one particular test, after a reef ball was allowed to rest on
the ocean bottom for approximately four months, it was found that
the ball was covered with encrusting sponges, algae, tunicates,
featherdusters, barnacles, and other types of marine life. In
addition, many varieties of fish were found in and around the reef
ball. The reef balls can be allowed to remain at the location where
they were first deposited and form a permanent reef, or the reef
balls can be harvested after they have developed their
encrustations and transported to some other location such as an
aquarium.
FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14 disclose a reef ball constructed in the
same manner as the reef ball of FIGS. 1 through 6 but it has a
different shape. As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, the reef ball
60 has a substantially bell shaped or mound-like configuration.
Often a bottom flange is added to the shape to reduce scour of the
sand/mud from under the reef ball. A substantial amount of cement
62 is deposited adjacent to the bottom of the mold for adding
weight to the bottom portion of the reef ball.
The reef balls of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 were constructed in a four
piece mold generally designated by the reference character 64 which
is bolted or pinned together by bolts or pins 66 in the same manner
as the reef ball mold of FIGS. 1 and 2. An optional tie down 68
extends from the bottom of the tear shaped bladder 70 for holding
the bladder down within the mold during the pouring of cement
therein. The cement is filled in the top and surrounds the balloons
72 which are used for holding the main bladder 70 away from the
side walls of the mold and also for forming the holes 76 provided
in the shell of the reef ball. Different size balloons can be used
to produce different size holes in the shell of the reef ball.
While heretofore reference has been made to utilizing balloons
between the main bladder 70 and the shell of the mold 64, it is to
be understood that any suitable inflatable device or form could be
utilized, as long as it is of sufficient strength not to rupture
under the pressure of the cement being poured therein.
The main bladder as well as the balloon may be constructed of
reinforced urethane corded nylon fabric or any other conventional
suitable bladder material. It is to be understood that other types
of hole forming devices could be used.
The inner surface of the mold 64 in some situations is embossed
with a pattern to correspond to the pattern of coral so that when
the concrete is poured within the mold, the outer surface of the
concrete will have a coral pattern embedded therein. Other textured
surfaces could be imparted to the outer surface of the reef ball
either during the molding process or prior to the concrete
completely setting by etching patterns into the surface of the reef
ball. One such surface is made by applying a surface retardant to
the surfaces of the molds, bladders and ball then rinsing the
outside layer of concrete with water to expose the underlying
aggregate.
When it is desired to connect several reef balls together to form a
large reef, a connecting member such as shown in FIG. 15 can be
utilized. This connecting member includes a polyurethane pipe 76
which has layers of cement 78 attached thereto with holes 80
provided therein. A cable 82 can be extended through the
polyurethane pipe 76 for securing the individual reef balls 64
together.
In FIG. 17 there is illustrated an aquarium 84 which has a small
reef ball 86 constructed in accordance with the present invention
placed therein. The reef ball is encrusted with marine life as a
result of being placed on the bottom of an ocean floor for a period
of time and harvested.
In FIG. 18 a substantially rectangular reef 88 is placed on the
bottom of an aquarium 90. The rectangular reef 88 is constructed of
cementitious material and has holes 90 provided therein. These
slabs of material can be placed in the ocean until they become
encrusted with marine life. They can then be harvested and
transported for use in salt water aquariums.
While the preferred embodiments and the invention have been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *